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Manchester United have reportedly received the asking price to sign long-term target Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen.
The Bundesliga club will demand a transfer fee in the region of €85 million for the midfielder’s services, according to reports from Sports Witness. Reports from Germany suggest that Bayer Leverkusen will look to cash in on the talented 20-year-old next summer.
Wirtz will have three years left on his contract before the 2024 transfer window, giving his club a strong negotiating position to fully capitalize on the interest he is generating across the top tier of European football.
The breach of Sports Witness indicates that Bayern Munich and Barcelona are closely monitoring Wirtz’s availability, while “watchful” interest also comes from England.
United are joined by bitter rivals Manchester City and Newcastle in their admiration for the talented midfielder.
sportSpanish outlet, claim that Barcelona will not be able to match the “economic conditions” required to compete for Wirtz, however, and have reportedly made the decision to “give up” on the prospect of bringing him to Camp Nou.
Furthermore, Bayern Munich already possess the prodigiously talented Jamal Musiala in a similar position to Wirtz, suggesting that the German giants are simply trying their usual. modus operandi of hovering talent from other Bundesliga teams. A price of 85 million euros may turn out to be too expensive an investment just to simply deprive a rival of a star player, however.
Which would leave only interest from England.
The Premier League is by far the most economically strong in Europe, with all three clubs (United, City and Newcastle) possessing the necessary funds to fund such a move.
United’s interest in Wirtz has been long-standing, with reports linking the club with a move as early as 2021.
Although Wirtz’s strongest position may overlap with Bruno Fernandes, the German is also capable of playing on the right. Realistically, his powerful pairing of technique and invention means he could play anywhere in the front line and still thrive.
Bayer Leverkusen currently sit top of the Bundesliga, with Xabi Alonso’s side attracting plaudits across the continent for their style of play, which is as exciting as it is effective.
Wirtz operates in a free attacking midfielder role within the nominal 3-4-3 structure that Alonso uses. He scored three goals and provided four assists in his opening ten games, as well as contributing significantly to Leverkusen’s overall play.
Given the lack of fluidity United have shown during their dreadful start this season, it’s easy to see why officials at Old Trafford would be keeping an eye on the German protégé.